Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo

Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo

The Museum of Islamic Art claims to be the largest in the world dedicated to Islamic artifacts. Their collection holds an impressive 100,000 pieces, though many are in storage. Visitors can view over 4,500 pieces spread across 25 halls and galleries. The collection is arranged based on the period and materials used.

Of particular interest, the museum provides a breadth of research opportunities for individuals wishing to learn about Islamic sciences like medicine, astronomy, or engineering. Many artifacts show historic daily life, like glass and porcelain utensils, jewelry, and weapons.

The Museum of Islamic Art's vision is to display, interpret, and preserve artifacts while making them accessible to the maximum number of visitors. They're also dedicated to studying and preserving the Islamic world's arts and encouraging dialogue across cultures.

The museum has undergone several restorations and expansions over the years. In 2014, the museum was heavily damaged by a car bomb that was targeting the police station across the street. Many artifacts needed to be restored, and the building's front facades were severely damaged. It reopened in 2017.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cairo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museum of Islamic Art on Map

Sight Name: Museum of Islamic Art
Sight Location: Cairo, Egypt (See walking tours in Cairo)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cairo, Egypt

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